As a newcomer in the craft business, crafts fair is the prime spot to gain new customers. Nonetheless, it can be pretty terrifying to go to a crafts fair for the first time. Especially if you’re an introvert like me, a place where there are many crowds just like a craft expo can be very intimidating and overwhelming.
Don’t let that scare you away though! Once you go for the first time, I guarantee that it will all be worth it. In fact, maybe you will even get addicted to going and you will always be looking for the next crafts exhibition you can take part in.
To prepare you for your first crafts fair experience, I have compiled a bunch of tips you might find helpful in making the best out of this opportunity to expand your craft business!
Whatever it is you’re doing, it is always preferred to learn and get to know your “battlefield” before you go into it.
If the crafts fair has been going on for a while—maybe bimonthly or annually—then you should head to their website or platform and learn as much as you can about the event and who usually comes around.
It will be great to know who your customers will—their age, gender, or maybe even hobbies. This will help you prepare your items accordingly and increase your chances of selling more.
I love it when the crafts fair takes place near an upcoming holiday, it gives me one less thing to worry about what to sell.
Say, if your crafts fair is anytime soon then it will be near Christmas, so you should sell things that people will need for Christmas. Christmas ornaments, Christmas cards, gift tags, there are so many Christmas-themed things you can provide for your customers!
So think ahead and maybe try this Christmas Bundle by Drizy Studio that has everything you need to boost your sales!
It is always a must to communicate with the event organizers regarding the facilities you will be provided during the crafts fair. How big would your allowed display be? What sort of table or structure will you work with?
This will give you a very much-needed oversight regarding how many products you should prepare for display. Make sure you put up a variety of products that you have, both in models and in price.
Put yourself in the visitor’s shoes! Think of how your display would look to a passerby. Though you most definitely should take advantage of all space available, make sure you don’t overcrowd your display either as it might be off-putting to your potential customers!
Never ever underestimate the power of using props for your display! Props can be as simple as any smaller household items you have at home so your potential buyers can see how your products will look in their own homes.
Hang your Christmas ornaments on a tree, dress your mannequin in the shirts, hats, and tote bags you sell. Don’t forget to provide a mirror as part of your display as well!
Yup, just like a field trip back when we were in school, a crafts fair will be better if you pack up your things the night before.
Why? well of course because it will give you more time to get your things together so you won’t rush yourself the morning of.
Trust me, craft exhibitions can be intimidating for everyone, even visitors! So if you see someone who might be interested in your display don’t be shy to start up a conversation first.
This is also why it is recommended that you always appear ready and in business. So avoid sitting down and staying on your phone for too long as it may make you seem disinterested and unavailable.
Although offline events such as the crafts fair are a great opportunity to promote your shop to new customers, you still need to keep the customers to maintain your sales. And since most craft businesses rely on online shops as their main platforms, it goes without saying how important being able and easy to be reached is.
Business cards are probably the easiest way you can provide your information to the people you meet. So be sure you always have a stack of it on hand. You can even make use of it to make a multipurpose price tag for your items!
There have been countless times where I left out an item because I don’t have enough cash and the seller does not provide any card payment options. Don’t let this happen to you!
Make sure you accept multiple payments and not just cash. You also need to prepare a good amount of change for when someone wants to buy your items with, like, a 20-dollar bill.
When you’re new to the craft business, you might not know a lot of people in it. But having friends in the craft biz is actually one of the best ways to expand your field! And a crafts fair is the perfect place to get some new friends.
Start with the neighboring booths near you and start up conversations. If you have someone else helping you in your booth, you can take some breaks during the quiet times to walk around and visit other crafters’ booths.
You can share tips on how to set up shop, pricing, or information on upcoming craft fairs you can attend. Make sure you offer your social media as well so you can stay in touch with your new friends!
Experience is the best teacher and I couldn’t agree more. There’s a reason why people who have been in the business longer are more confident. It’s because they know from experience what works and what doesn’t.
So keep your chin up! It takes time to figure it all out but as long as you are consistent with your work then you will get there!
Now, you are ready to start your journey at the crafts fair! Share your experience with other crafters on our Facebook Community and get exclusive free designs from Drizy Studio!
I wish you the best of luck!
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